Prime Minister James Marape said a cabinet and portfolio reshuffle is expected soon as his government’s effort to make sure Government delivers on its commitments to the people of Papua New Guinea.
On Monday this week, Marape announced in a statement that the PM’s department is completing its final assessment and announcements on changes to Cabinet will position the Government to deliver strongly during the remaining months of this parliamentary term.
“As Prime Minister, it is my responsibility to ensure the Government remains focused on delivering results,” Marape said.
In response, Opposition Leader, James Nomane said accountability in the Executive Government has been absent and this reshuffle is overdue.
Nomane welcome Marape’s decision for a reshuffle and but said the Prime Minister must have the courage to make tough decisions to cut Cabinet down to a manageable and effective size.
“We stand by our previous call that Cabinet should be culled and reduced from 38 to around 22,” Nomane said.
With just nine months left before the Issue of Writs for the 2027 National General Election, Marape said his government cannot afford complacency.
“I will now become more personally engaged in ensuring every ministry and every department delivers on its responsibilities. Papua New Guineans expect outcomes, and that is exactly what I intend to do for the balance of this term, said Marape”
The Chief Secretary, Ivan Pomaleu has been instructed to enforce greater accountability across the Public Service, especially among departmental heads who have failed to submit annual reports or demonstrate satisfactory performance.
“As Papua New Guinea prepares to enter its 51st year of Independence, we must foster a culture where leadership positions are earned through performance and maintained through results,” said Marape.
The opposition agrees with the PM Marape’s statement outlining that many ministers are medically sick, have failed to drive policy, are embroiled in scandal and doubt.
“The composition of this new-look Cabinet, nine months out from NGE 2027, will reflect the Prime Minister’s sincerity,” said Nomane.
The opposition said they salutes ministers, Joe Kuli, Peter Tsiamalili Jr, Sir John Pundari, Belden Namah, and Soroi Eoe including deputy prime minister John Rosso who they believe have credibly delivered policy outcomes.
Nomane said the long delay by the Prime Minister in confronting the chronic under-performance within Cabinet has been the ire of the public.
“A leaner Cabinet is a sharper, more accountable Cabinet. Twenty-two focused Ministers will deliver more for our people than thirty-eight distracted ones,” said Nomane.
At 1pm today, the Office of the Prime Minister put out a statement advising the country that the announcement of the new National Executive Council (NEC) composition has been deferred to early next week.
This is due to the Prime Minister’s visit to Vanimo, West Sepik Province to attend the Connect PNG programme engagements.
The statement says _the final list of ministerial portfolio allocations will now be released upon Marape’s return to Port Moresby, likely on Sunday12th or Monday 13th July.
Parliament will resume next Tuesday at 2pm for the July Session, while a special sitting on the future of Bougainville Independence has been set for the end of August.
